BackPolicy on 3G telecom cleared; foreign players allowed: Sources
Policy on 3G telecom cleared; foreign players allowed: Sources
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New Delhi: The Union government is understood to have finalised the policy for 3G telecom services in the country and foreign players will be allowed to participate in the auction of spectrum to be held soon.
According to sources, Communications and IT Minister A Raja has approved the final guidelines for 3G services after meeting Finance Minister P Chidambaram.
The Centre is expected to initiate bid for 3G spectrum within the next two months, sources said.
Government’s permission to allow foreign players is significant in view of telecom regulator Trai’s strong opposition to such a move.
Trai remains persistent with its argument of restricting the participation only to existing Unified Access Service Licence (UASL) holders so as to ensure faster rollout of the services.
The Finance Ministry and the Planning Commission were keen on allowing foreign companies, who do not hold telecom licences in India, to bid for 3G services.
Sources said that successful bidders, who do not possess UASL license would be issued new licenses to offer telecom services in the country.
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